Authority demands respect, influences in daily actions
Published 9:09 am Friday, December 14, 2018
Can we worship without authority?
The question we consider today, strikes to the heart of our worshipping God properly. There has never existed a time when authority was not important. While authority is important, there also must be a means for establishing it. Once authority has been established there must be respect for it. These facts concerning authority are true in our homes, our schools, and our government and most assuredly in the Church. Without respect which is followed by adherence to precepts concerning the previous mentioned institutions, each will succumb to anarchy and eventual destruction.
Authority is defined as the right or power to enforce rules or give orders; it’s a source of reliable information on a subject and therefore has the right to set precedents. Authority, because of its qualities has the ability to gain the respect of others while at the same time it has the ability to influence people in respect to the daily actions they take. Those who act without authority do so without right, regardless of the institution in which such occurs.
In Matthew, Matt. 21:23-27, we find Jesus in the temple, the chief priests and elders came to him desiring to know by what authority he did the things He was doing and who had given this authority. They were trying to show that Jesus did not have the authority to do the things He did. In His response to their questions He asked a question. They immediately saw they were in a quandary and as a result they would not answer Jesus. Simply put they could not deny His authority.
There is no doubt of the authority of Jesus, but still millions fail to see man’s need for divine authority in religion, choosing instead to rely on themselves and their own knowledge and abilities. Jeremiah reminds us of the danger of self-reliance in (Jer. 10:23). The way of man only leads to death (Prov. 14:12). When we consider the previous verses, it is understandable why Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” The danger in relying on one’s self is going beyond or falling short of God’s commands (2 John 9).
Throughout history mankind has had a problem accepting God’s authority in life as well in matters of religion. Able offered unto God what the Lord desired while his brother did not (Heb. 11:4). The result was displeasing to God and brought death unto Able. I am reminded of Nadab and Abihu who acted without divine authority unto their own demise. We must heed the intent of Romans 10:17, and please God by adhering to His desires. Within the New Testament we find many examples of those who acted by faith and found reward. Consider the wise and foolish builders in (Matt. 7:24-27). Only those who build their lives upon the solid Rock (Christ) and His authority will be pleasing to God. All others’ houses/lives will be left in ruin.
Following divine authority will lead to unity which Christ prayed for in John 17:17, and which Paul wrote of concerning the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 1:10. Unity can only be achieved when we act according to divine authority. When we follow God’s authority we have unity with God and our fellow man. This can only happen when we follow the same rule of authority. The apostle Peter reminds us that we must speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11), if we fail in this task we fail in following proper divine authority.
In the coming year I challenge each of us to consider by what authority we do the things we do.
(Tony Hoss serves as minister of Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton.)